Toronto Raptors Front-Runners for the Number Two Pick
The Toronto Raptors offseason just got a little more interesting.
According to Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld, Toronto is the front runner for the number two overall pick in the NBA draft as the T-Wolves are looking to trade down and acquire some assets.
"“Jason in GA:
Just a thought but wouldn’t Derozan and the five for Flynn and the two help both teams? Gives Toronto some front court star power and Minnesota a legit 2, thoughts?"
Bill Ingram:
It really would . . .I know the Wolves are exploring a lot of options for trading the #2, and DeRozan is one of the better young shooting guards in the league. He and Rubio could potentially be good for years to come. Derrick Williams would clearly help the Raptors, as well. I’ve been told by the Wolves that Toronto is the frontrunner for the #2 so far, but there’s lots of time for someone else to make an offer Kahn can’t refuse."
First lets get one thing clear, a deal for the number two overall pick will not include DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan has emerged as the face of the Raptors franchise and arguably became the teams number one option down the stretch averaging 19.9 points and 4.1 rebounds after the all-star break.
Despite the mention of DeRozan this is still news that piques ones interest.
Reaction:
This is great and very welcomed news for Raptors fans and shows that Bryan Colangelo is already trying to shake things up in Raptor land.
As Ingram suggested, there is still plenty of time for someone to come with a better offer so Raptors fans should not get their hopes up just yet.
Obviously if the Raptors land the number two pick they will be looking to draft Derrick Williams and not Enes Kanter as some might somehow believe.
We are very hopeful a deal can get done, but believe other teams have better assets to offer.
Our only trump card, being that Jose Calderon is the ideal point guard to mentor Ricky Rubio, whom will finally be joining the Timberwolves this season.
What would a deal likely include:
Any deal would likely include the fifth overall pick, Andrea Bargnani and/or Jose Calderon and cash.
As stated above, a deal for the number two pick will not include DeMar DeRozan as Bryan Colangelo knows full well how hard it is to find a 20 ppg scorer at the shooting guard position.
As mentioned above, Jose Calderon is the ideal mentor for Ricky Rubio and one has to believe that he will be involved in the deal.
We can also assume that Jonny Flynn will be coming to the Raptors in any deal.
What is for certain though is that Jose and #5 for Flynn and the #2 is not an even deal by any stretch and thus the Raptors would likely have absorb the contract of or throw in Leandro Barbosa to help fill the T-Wolves backup shooting guard void.
A lot has been made about the Timberwolves need for a shooting guard, but those who are saying that probably did not watch the NBA last season.
The T-Wolves have a very promising wing prospect in Wesley Johnson who already has a 29-point outburst under his belt.
If DeMar DeRozan truly is being offered to the T-Wolves than you can bet that Wesley Johnson will be heading back to the Raptors.
